Independence Day, marks Ghana’s emancipation from the United Kingdom in 1957. The day is celebrated in public with carnivals, parades, and other events. Private citizens, celebrate the day with music and food, and some may even hoist the national flag at home.
On 6 March 1957, the Gold Coast (now known as Ghana), gained Independence from Britain. Ghana became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and was led to Independence by Kwame Nkrumah, who transformed the country into a Republic, with himself as President.
Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast, is the first country, south of the Sahara to gain Independence on 6th March, 1957. The feat, also inspired other African countries to fight for Independence. The Independence Day is celebrated on March 6 every year, to remember our emancipation from British Colonial Rule. It is celebrated by Ghanaians all over the world, by showcasing the ‘Ghanaian lifestyle’ and remembering oneness of our people.
All roads lead to the Volta Regional Youth Resource Centre at Adaklu-Tsrefe, near Ho, for the 66th Independence Day celebration. The theme for the big occasion is: “Our unity, our strength, our destiny”.
The Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, who has been inspecting the venue every week, said all was set for the celebration. He expressed satisfaction at work done and said, “Volta Region is ready”. The Youth Resource Centre, has now become a tourist attraction, as many members of the public have been visiting the place, to catch a glimpse of the facility.
More than 5,000 people from various parts of the country, are expected at the anniversary which will be graced by the President; Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who is the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), will be the special guest at the celebration, which is expected to feature exciting cultural displays and a colorful parade, military exercise and displays such as rappelling, acrobatics and a show of various skills and capabilities.
Dr. Letsa, said 80 members of the diplomatic corps, would also take part in the celebration.
Hospitality And Security
Information gathered, proves that the hospitality industry, has made gains, before and during the celebration, as rooms are sold out for today. At one of the region’s ace hotels,; the Volta Serene Hotel, for instance, a manager said that almost all of the 300 rooms had been booked. At the Sky Plus Hotel, a plush hotel that provides picturesque scenery of Ho, all the 100 rooms have been booked for the anniversary.
The Independence Day celebration fever, is spreading rapidly with a phenomenal presence of heavy armored vehicles and armed personnel, of the various security agencies. For the past few days, early jogging sessions by various groups, have become a normal feature of the regional capital.
Apart from the national colors which dominate Ho and Adaklu, portraits of paramount chiefs in the region, have taken places of prominence, on some key roads.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has fixed 2,500 street lights in the Ho Municipality, to illuminate the streets of Ho and the road towards Adaklu-Tsrefe to improve security, especially at night. The ECG, replaced defective street lights in the regional capital and installed new lights, on other key roads in and around the municipality. The Regional Manager of the ECG, Emmanuel Lumor, gave an assurance that there would be no interruption in power supply, throughout the celebration.
The chiefs of the Asogli State, have promised visitors, of a very cordial and unforgettable reception. For her part, the Adaklu District Chief Executive; Juliana Kpedekpo, said, “We are ready to host the whole of Ghana at Adaklu for the celebration.”
However, the 66th Independence Day coincides with the 66th birthdays of the regional minister and the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV, while the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho, has the charge to lead preparations for the march past. The regiment has assured the public, that it had deployed men “in strength”, to take charge of security during the celebration.
Some food joints have set up stands opposite the Regional Youth Resource Centre, in the hopes for a brisk business, during the celebration. The Regional Environmental Health Officer, Stella Kumedzro, claimed that food vendors not medically screened and issued with health certificates, would be denied access to the venue. She said the move was to prevent communicable diseases. Chiefs from paramountcies in the region, are also expected at the celebration.
Taxi drivers, William Dogbe and Anthony Ahiagba, said they had serviced their vehicles ahead of the day, in anticipation of a good business.
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